A soldier stands guard outside governmen

Suva, FIJI: A soldier stands guard outside government buildings before Fiji's military head Voreqe Bainimarama announced it had toppled the government and dismissed elected Prime Minister Laisenia Qarase, in Suva, 05 December 2006, following a months long standoff between the two men. Bainimarama said, "as of six o'clock this evening, the military has taken over the government, has executive authority and the running of this country," he told a press conference adding he was appointing an interim leader and government. "Therefore, having stepped into the shoes of the president, I shall now therefore dismiss the Prime Minister Laisenia Qarase," he added. AFP PHOTO/William WEST (Photo credit should read WILLIAM WEST/AFP via Getty Images)